Device for aiding in eructation of babies



Feb. 24, 1970 M. v. LO PICCOLO 3,496,928

DEVICE FOR AIDING IN ERUCTATION OF BABIES Filed June 8, 1967 7 INVENTOR MADELYN V. LOPICCOLO BYQWN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,496,928 DEVICE FOR AIDING IN ERUCTATION 0F BABIES Madelyn V. Lo Piccolo, 18 S. Kingshighway, St. Louis, Mo. 63108 Filed June 8, 1967, Ser. No. 644,543

Int. Cl. A61b 19/00 U.S. Cl. 128-1 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for aiding in the eructation of babies which comprises a molded body being both transversely and longitudinally arcuated for accommodating the chest and abdominal zones of the baby being assisted and having at one end a chin support extension, there being a tapered portion at the other end for extension into the upper, interleg zone,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION After feeding babies of tender age liquid, such as milk or water, it is requisite that any entrained air be discharged so as to avoid discomfort. The commonly accepted manner of assisting babies to be relieved of any air swallowed during the drinking process is to hold the baby substantially upright with a support against its chest and stomach, as by presentation against the shoulder of the attendant, or more commonly by disposition against one out-stretched hand of the attendant, and then to gently pat the babys back so as to promote upward flow of such air. It is important that the babys head be properly supported during this procedure in view of the undeveloped character of the neck vertebra and neck muscles so that no inadvertent injury is caused by jarring developing from the back patting. Thus, the eflicacy of effecting this procedure depends substantially upon certain physical characteristics of the attendant so that if the attendant or the mother, as the case may be, has a relatively small hand then obviously proper support may not be provided thereby for the childs stomach and chest area during the air relieving step and with also an obvious lack of appropriate support for the childs head. Also, conversely, a child may be of such proportion that despite the relative hand size of the attendant, inadequate support would result. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a reliable and positive support for a baby to assure effective eructation without respect to any relative physical characteristics of the baby and the attendant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION vides proper support for the stomach and chest of the r baby, as well as for the head during the air-relieving operation so that there is obviated any concern as to whether the attendant is physically capable of providing the proper resistance for the supported areas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which may be most economically manufactured as from molded plastic, being adapted for high volume production, and with the so-fabricated device being sturdy and resistant to rupture or breakage so as to have longevity of usage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which assures of effective discharge of any entrained air; which is easily utilized; which is light in weight and which presents a uniform support throughout the entire front body portion of the baby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a side view of a device for aiding in the eructation of babies constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention illustrating the device in operative position with a baby.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the inner face of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the chin-adjacent end of the device.

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the end of the device opposite from that shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a device for aiding in eructation of babies comprising a unitary body portion 1 which may be economically fabricated from molded plastic and which body 1 may have any predetermined length with such being determined by the average distance between the chin and crotch of babies of varying ages. Thus, the same may be produced in varying lengths so as to accommodate babies of different heights. Said body 1 is transversely arcuated in a concave-convex manner so as to present a depression or cavity 2 for receiving the front portion of the babys body, that is, the chest and abdominal portions with such body portion 1 being of sufficient transverse extent so as to provide limited, but requisite, lateral support as in the regions indicated at 3 for assuring of proper retention of the baby within the said cavity 2. Also, said body portion 1 is longitudinally arcuated in a concavo-convex manner with the concave face being coincident with the transverse curvature so as to present a suitable protrusion as at 4 for accommodating the babys stomach. Said body portion 1, at one of its ends, is convergingly tapered on both of its side margins, as at 5, 5', for providing an extension 6 reccivably between the upper portions of the babys legs for presentation against the groin and crotch. At its end remote from extension 6, body portion 1 converges slightly along its side margins, as at 7, 7', to provide suitable clearance for the babys arms and with said converging side portions 7, '7' terminating along an edge 8 which is continuous with the inner end of a co-extensive flange-like projection 9 for providing a chin rest which, for purposes of comfort, may be slightly concave.

With reference being particularly made to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that in use the normally inner or concave face of body portion 1 is presented against the front of the babys body with extension 6 presented between the upper leg portions and with edge 8 being disposed against the upper front portion of the babys neck so that the chin will be presented against rest 9. By the unique contouring of device A, the baby is snugly and reliably received within body portion 1 which, through its inherent rigidity, provides a stable support surface for easy maintenance of the baby in selected position, such as vertically. Regardless of the size of the attendants hand, suitable force will be provided for retaining device A in engaged position. Thus, the user is certain that the baby is properly supported and maintained so that the attendants other hand may be used for tapping or patting the baby on the exposed back to assist upward escape of any air that might have been entrained during fluid feeding. The babys head is properly supported against any inadvertent injury through jarring and additionally the said device will be a source of comfort to the child during the eructating process as offering a sensation of security.

It will be seen that with device A against the baby, the same will create pressure as by holding the child thereagainst so that the same will aid in the expulsion of any air accumulated in the stomach.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, and arrangement and combination of the several parts of the device for aiding in eructation of babies may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for aiding in the eructation of babies comprising a body portion being transversely arcuated to assume a concave-convex configuration for disposition against the chest and abdominal portions of a baby, said body having side portions for disposition against the sides of the baby and convergingly tapering end portions, a chin support formed integral with said body at one end References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,689 9/1915 Bradley 22.5 3,071,410 1/1963 Gaskins 297-195 3,224,439 12/1965 Blair 12875 3,292,181 12/1966 Kennedy et al. 22.5

DALTON L. TRULUCK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

